Thailand encourages the use of tobacco substitutes

According to the Inquirer, the head of the ENDS Cigarette Organization (ECST) in Thailand has requested that the Thai government pass legislation to encourage smokers to switch to less harmful nicotine consumption.
Asa Saligupta believes that Thailand's current restrictions on smoking alternatives are pushing these products underground, leading to an unregulated market, depriving the government of revenue, and forcing consumers to continue smoking.
In 2014, Thailand banned the use of e-cigarettes and other electronic nicotine delivery systems, resulting in the arrest of local e-cigarette users and foreign tourists. Saligupta said that this measure has prevented smokers from turning to innovative products with less potential harm.
According to Saligupta, Thailand should follow the example of the Philippines, which has passed a law that sees reducing tobacco hazards as a legitimate tool for the anti smoking movement.
The Republic Act 11900, also known as the Steam Nicotine and Non Nicotine Product Management Act, became law in 2022. The Electronic Cigarette Law regulates the import, sales, packaging, circulation, use, and circulation of new tobacco products such as electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products.
Thailand is one of the strictest e-cigarette regulatory countries in Asia.